Weight Loss Wednesday - update #6 night eating

My recent discussions in the work place and online have led me to dedicate today's Weight Loss Wednesday to Late Night Eating. I've done it, I'm sure you've done it too. The questions is does late night eating really cause weight gain?

From what I have found and experienced, late night eating in and of itself does not cause weight gain. Typically we eat more when we snack late at night and that would be what would cause the weight gain rather than the actual time itself. Think about the times you've snacked after 9pm... how much do you typically eat during those times? Do you count the calories?

Here are some links to articles online regarding late night eating:
http://www.aolhealth.com/medical-myths/medical-myths-eating-before-bed
http://dietforum.com/late-night-eating.htm
http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=56681

On the flip side, if you consistently eat late at night, that could pose a problem. Here is a link to NY Times Well Blog summarizing a study where they simulated late night eating on a regular basis in mice and there was weight gain...
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/09/03/late-night-eating-linked-to-weight-gain/

If you do eat late at night from time to time, consider what you're taking in. Of course i do not advocate late night eating, but if you're hungry grab something to eat before you go to bed, you'll sleep better if you're not hungry. And that's a whole 'nother blog! :) Here's to smart, nutritious, delicious eating and your health!

sloLCfitness.com

Weight Loss Wednesday - update #5

As promised, another weight-loss Wednesday update! My exercising is going great, but eating habits are tanking a bit. Luckily, i've still remained around the same weight with Valentine's Day on the horizon, 'cause i plan to eat some cupcakes for the holiday.

I need to get back to planning my meals as i have been eating a lot of cereal and getting fruit and dairy that i need, but have been missing out on some much needed veggies and protein. It'll happen, and i know this, so i don't keep kickin' myself about it, i just think move forward and keep trudgin' on.

If i can make it through Valentine's weekend without way overdoing it, i'll be okay and start fresh monday. I know, even i say not to start fresh a week away... but i know me, and since i've made a lifestyle change rather than dieting, i can do it.

Best of luck on your weight loss or weight maintenance journey!
sloLCfitness.com

Weight Loss Wednesday - update #3

so, i'm avoiding the scale this week 'cause i ate like crap over the weekend, and i just don't want to know. i do know it won't be a whole lot 'cause i'm pretty much back on track in the nutrition realm, but it's a daily (if not hourly) struggle for me when it comes to food. i'm good on the exercise front, in fact that's one of the reasons i became a group exercise instructor. being scheduled to teach classes not only means that i show up for the members to get their exercise, i get some too... in case the rest of my week is filled with sitting at a desk, i know i at least have a certain amount of exercise i will achieve every week like clockwork.

If you don't want to become an instructor, i still highly recommend scheduling some exercise time each week and stick to it no matter what (okay, unless you're ill) ;). i know it's tough, i've been there. feel free to hit me up if you have any questions or just need a little push in the right direction. Motivating others is my favorite thing about my career choice.

p.s. i'm choosing to include the before and after pic of me each Wednesday as a gentle reminder that it can be done! :)

sloLCfitness.com

Fab Five Fit Facts

Things to think about as you embark on getting fit or continue with staying fit…

Strength training is great for fat burning. When you strength train a time or three a week, you increase you metabolism. The calories you burn during and after strength training along with the toning results you see from strength training is well worth the work. Each time you strength train, your muscles are working hard and this creates tiny little tears that require rest for reparation and recovery. Always allow 48 hours or more between strength training sessions to recover and grow stronger and more toned.

Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR) do you know what that is or what yours is? It’s a great tool to have in your tool box. Most people’s RMRs are well above 1000 calories per day which means if you were to stay in bed all day and do absolutely nothing you’d burn your RMR amount in calories per day. Some people under eat thus putting their body into a starvation mode and slowing their metabolism. Always be sure to take in plenty of calories per day, by plenty I mean a respectable amount for your activity level.

Why not look at the scale? Have you ever hopped on the scale, you know you’ve been eating really well and working really hard to find that you’ve GAINED weight? Yup, I bet we’ve all been there. Check in with how your clothes are fitting, do your measurements, you’ll find you’re doing a lot better than you thought. You might even want to readjust your goal weight while you’re on your fitness journey, you may realize you’ve shot too low.

Muscle is denser than fat. Going hand and hand with not paying attention to the number on the scale, remember that muscle is denser than fat. Fat takes up much more area in your body so as you begin and continue to tone, you’ll notice your body becomes leaner though the number on the scale may not. Again, pay attention to your measurements.

Strength training at home. Many people think you have to go to a gym to tone up, but really you have everything you need right at home. You can perform push-ups to tone your chest, tricep dips on a chair for the back of your arms, and wall-sits for your thighs, just to name a few. If you like the gym, by all means, go there to get in shape, if you prefer to work out at home, or just don’t find the time to go to another location to workout, there are plenty of strength training exercises you can do at home, even while watching TV!

For answers to your questions, please visit me on my Facebook page at: http://tinyurl.com/LCfitnessFacebook or drop me a tweet on Twitter: http://twitter.com/sLoLCfitness I’m happy to answer any fit questions you have and if I don’t know the answer, I’ll find it for you.

Best of luck in your fitness endeavors!